We work with 16 river basins, which reflect stressor combinations typical for large parts of Europe.

In Southern Europe, the five river basins are affected by water scarcity from abstraction, groundwater over-exploitation and flow regulation. Most of this relates to agriculture and, increasingly, to climate change. Flows are often inadequate to support biota (ecological flows), nutrients, wastewater and pesticides are poorly diluted

In Central Europe, the six river basins are affected by water abstraction for water power generation, channelisation and water quality problems.

In Northern Europe, five river basins are affected by water abstraction and increasing temperature. Additional stress includes channelisation, diffuse agricultural pollution, continued acidification, brownification and pollution by toxic and organic pollutants.